Learn Korean Videos

Here is a series of basic Korean to get you started on your trip to Korea. Each Korean lesson is about 13-15 minutes long.

This should be a great place to start. There are more videos in the series. Just let me know if you would like me to post more.

Lesson 1




Lesson 2



Lesson 3



Lesson 4



Lesson 5

Seoul Night Scenes

Here is a lovely video montage of some clips of Seoul at night. Very nicely done with some relaxing music in the background. About 3 minutes long



Teach in Korea

Video Tour someTeachers' Apartments

Here is a quick 20 second video tour of a teacher in Korea's apartment. All apartments are different, so I'll try to get a few more clips for you to enjoy if you're considering teaching English in South Korea.



This is a video apartment tour by a guy named Jason (not me) who lives in the city of Pohang, South Korea. This is a great tour, where you can see what the laundry facilities are like, and what the bathrooms are like. It is also good to note that when teaching in smaller areas like Pohang, the apartments tend to be bigger than they are in Seoul, since real estate there is more expensive. Enjoy.



Here is a video of a Seoul apartment. It's kind of funny because this guy re-furnished his place with stuff "from the street" as he says. In Korea, people get new furniture quite often, and you'll always hear stories of us foreigners finding stuff at night that we think is great, and sneaking off with someone else's garbage, thinking we just hit the jackpot. Very amusing!



This next clip is from a "smaller city", Wonju. There is no inside footage, just some views from a high apartment of some other apartment buildings etc...

The Psychology of a Successful Teacher in South Korea

This is an essay from one of our applicants, Daina.

I had asked for some suggestions on what is the psychology of someone who would be successful at teaching in South Korea.

Daina went beyond my expectations and wrote a great piece, so I wanted to share it here. I agree with the majority of what is said, and it would be useful for someone to use it to analyze their own personality in order to see if they would be a proper fit.

Enjoy!

Hi Jason,

I got a little carried away with this (my major was in psychology),
but I hope it's helpful.

There is a lot of reserach out there right now around trait
psychology, and what researchers have done is used factor analysis to
determine that there are basically 5 traits that apply to everyone,
but everyone differs in the degree of the trait they have (it works on
a continuum). What I've done here is explain these five traits and
where on the continuum a person should be to consider teaching English
in Korea

The first of these traits is openness to experience, and I think that
someone who is considering teaching english overseas would have to be
moderate to high in this trait. People low in this trait are very
conservative, resistent to change and have narrow interests. If a
person were not open to experiencing new things, then teaching english
overseas would definitely not be an option for them, since it would be
a dramatic change from what they do presently, and they may not be
willing to adapt to and appreciate the new culture. It has been
suggested that someone who is high in this trait is more likely to
succeed in university, as they are more open to the different ideas
taught.

The next of the traits is agreeableness which reflects individual
differences in concern with cooperation and social harmony. Agreeable
individuals value getting along with others and are considerate,
friendly, helpful, and willing to compromise their interests with
others. They generally have an optimistic view of human nature and
believe that people are basically honest, decent, and trustworthy.
Disagreeable people tend to put their own self-interest above getting
along with others. They're generally not concerned with others' well-
being and are therefore not likely to extend themselves for other
people. Sometimes their skepticism causes them to be suspicious,
unfriendly, and uncooperative. A little skepticism is a good thing,
as you can't always take things at face value, but too much can
interfere with your day-to-day life and can make you miserable. That
said, in my opinion, someone considering teaching in Korea would
likely have to be moderate to high in agreeableness. As I said
above, a person would have to be willing to adapt and appreciate the
new culture - you have to be able to compromise your own self
interests. Also, when meeting the people there, although they are
different, there has to be the belief that they are good people -
different doesn't mean bad.

The next trait is conscientiousness, which concerns the way in which
we control, regulate, and direct our impulses. Individuals high in
conscientiousness avoid trouble and achieve high levels of success
through purposeful planning and persistence, and they are reliable.
Pople low in conscientiousness are unreliable, and have a lack of
ambition and failure to stay within the lines. Needless to say, a
person considering teaching in Korea would have to be moderate to
high, as their jobs there require them to be reliable.

The next trait is neuroticism which refers to the tendency to
experience negative feelings such as anger, depression, and anxiety.
People who are high in this trait are emotionally reactive and respond
emotionally to events that would not affect most people, and their
reactions tend to be more intense than normal. They are likely to
interpret ordinary situations as threatening, and minor frustrations
as hopelessly difficult. Their negative emotional reactions tend to
persist for unusually long periods of time, which means they are often
in a bad mood. These problems in emotional regulation can diminish
the ability to think clearly, make decisions, and cope effectively
with stress. People low in this trait are less easily upset and are
less emotionally reactive. They tend to be calm, emotionally stable,
and free from persistent negative feelings. Obviously a person high
in this trait would not do well in Korea as any negative emotions they
felt would be prolonged and they would likely end up hating their
experience. Also, they would be less able to cope with the stress
they experience. I expect that there will be all kinds of stresses
and frustrations, but you should have the ability to get over it -
even find the humour in it, and move on.

The last of the traits is extraversion/introversion. Extroversion is
marked by pronounced engagement with the external world. Extroverts
enjoy being with people and are full of energy. They are action
oriented. In groups they like to talk, assert themselves, and draw
attention to themselves. They're the type of people that constantly
have to be "doing something." Introverts tend to be quiet, low-key,
and more disengaged from the social world. Their lack of social
involvement should not be interpreted as shyness or depression, the
introvert simply needs less stimulation than an extrovert. It's also
been suggested that extroverts get their energy from other people
whereas introverts get their energy from within themselves.
Furthermore, introverted people tend to be more in tune with their own
feelings and are better able to percieve the feeelings of others,
whereas the opposite is true of extraverted people. This is a
difficult one in terms of a person considering teaching in Korea. For
the first while at least, I would imagine that a person would
experience considerable social isolation, and the language barrier
would certainly exacerbate the isolation experienced, so a person
should be able to cope with it. If they get energy from within
themselves as an introverted person would, this shouldn't pose a big
problem.


I know you asked me to jot down a few ideas and I wrote you an essay, but I hope it was helpful.

Daina

Crazy foreingers in the heavy rain

Here is a video of a couple of English teachers in South Korea enjoying a rain storm. I bet they'll keep their windows closed next time!

What are the apartments like?

Within a standard contract, housing is provided rent-free for teachers, a relief from what generally accounts for a large portion of one’s monthly expenses. You will find it a great bonus, allowing you to keep most of what you earn.

Teachers may be placed with a roommate, or alone in a single apartment. Usually, you can be accommodated with a single apartment upon request, but some people enjoy the idea of having someone to live with, and it can be helpful for someone coming for the first time. Either way, you’re already in for an adventure.

Apartments in Korea are different in a variety of ways from what you might get at home, but you will find that it doesn’t take long to get comfortable, and in some ways, you may enjoy the novelties.

To begin, Korea is a small country containing a great number of people, so space is scarce and valuable. Apartment complexes appear everywhere you look, and it is rare that even one of your students will live in a house. In fact, one of the unique features about Korea is its lack of distinct zones. Commercial and residential buildings are situated amongst each other, as you’ll commonly see an apartment complex play sidekick to a skyscraper or office building. Big cities like Seoul are big, but they don’t feel as awesome as a New York City, for example, where clusters of enormous skyscrapers mark the center of the universe, and residential zones are pushed to the outskirts. Rather, Korean cities consist of a giant, solid, mixed-breed of residential and commercial buildings growing outward across a massive area.




As you may have inferred, apartments themselves are not overly spacious. Generally, you should expect a small kitchen and bathroom, and if you’re living in a two-bedroom, even the “big” room will not likely be what you might enjoy at home. In a shared apartment, you’ll be fortunate to get a common living area, although it is not unheard by any means. In a solo situation, you’ll likely get a studio-style, one open room deal, with a small kitchen and bathroom, of course. Regularly, you will find apartments with some kind of veranda or patio that may be where you’ll find your washing machine.

Yes, most apartments are equipped with a washing machine, as well as an air conditioner, television set, and gas stove, among other things. Your contract should name all the items that will be included in your apartment, like the ones formerly mentioned, to specifics like kitchen utensils and the like. Although a pretty standard item, check to see that an air conditioner is included, or you may have an uncomfortable go at it during the muggy summer months.

In addition to being smaller, you’ll find that although many have been worked on to look more up-to-date, Korean apartments feel and look older than many at home. We come from a giant country, which is generally kept clean, and while your apartment will have been cleaned before you arrive, you won’t be walking into a fresh brand-spanker. As we’ve said though, it doesn’t take long before you feel comfortable with your new home.




Kitchens will include a refrigerator, sink, and as previously mentioned, a gas stove. Do not expect to see an oven, so sharpen your pots and pans skills, because there won’t be any baking happening in your home. A table and chairs will be provided, although in a single apartment, they probably won’t fit right in your kitchen. Also, it is not advisable to drink the tap water. You can buy bottled water cheaply at any neighborhood shop, or you could arrange to have giant bottles delivered to your home regularly. Your school will be glad to help you set up operations like that.

Bathrooms in Korea are particularly interesting, as they are generally “one-stop shops” where the shower is not separate from the sink or toilet. It is rare that you will see a tub, and what you’ll likely get is a tile floor with a drain, and a mobile shower head that exchanges water flow with the sink, much like a tub faucet and shower head do at home. It is neat to shower while standing over your toilet, and it does have its advantages, as you can hose the whole place down each time you shower. Fortunately, showering conditions are quite comfortable and efficient, something of great concern to most people.

Now to mention a few items you should be aware of apart from the general. Electrical outlets require different plugs than we use at home, but don’t let that discourage you from bringing electrical appliances. You can buy an adaptor from one of several places in your area that will allow you to use them.

Garbage removal requires that you purchase specific bags marked for your neighborhood, and they can be bought inexpensively at any of your local shops.



A boiler powers the heating system, and heat comes up through the floor, which will be some kind of hard, smooth surface. You will not likely see carpeted flooring in Korean homes. With that, cleaning is generally done via broom and dustpan, but if you can get a hold of a vacuum cleaner, it can be effective in collecting dust as well.

As an interesting note, and to help you avoid offending people, it is customary to remove your shoes upon entering someone’s home, including your own, and in some restaurants. Usually, people will assume some sort of a slipper to wear while at home, and you might find it comfortable to get used to that, too.

Naturally, there will be other things you’ll discover about your new home that will strike you as odd that haven’t been discussed here, but we want to make sure that you are informed about significant differences. We think it would be doing you a disservice to let you head into Korea thinking you would be living in a spacious modern apartment, as you may have assumed considering your high financial status by Korean standards.

We can only stress that you will become very comfortable in your new home, and like any change, it won’t be long before the differences seem so natural, you’ll forget about them until your own home is there to remind you again.

Matthew Boulton

Learn to Read and Write Korean

OK,

As confusing as the following may seem, let me reassure you that learning to read and write Korean is not that difficult. All it takes is a bit of time and effort.

If you learn to read and write the Korean alphabet, it will allow you to do more things, and you will be a local hero. So, go ahead and use this guide to get started.

Just write the characters over and over and memorize the basic sound. Then, you can have a Korean friend correct you and help you get a more exact sound.

Hope this is a good starting point.

The Consonants

Due to the subjective nature of language, pronunciations will vary from region to region as well as person to person.

Hangul Pronunciation at the...
Start of a word Start of a syllable End of a word
ㄱ k (kite) c (can) k (walk)
ㄲ g (gone) <- same <- same
ㄴ n (now) <- same <- same
ㄷ t (talk) d (mind) t (hot)
ㄸ d (dog) <- same <- same
ㄹ r (run) <- same l (real)
ㅁ m (mop) <- same m (hum)
ㅂ p (pool) b (bay) p (lap)
ㅃ b (bird) <- same <- same
ㅅ s (show) <- same t (hot)
ㅆ s (sun) <- same t (hot)
ㅇ silent <- same ng (ring)
ㅈ ch (chop) j (jar) t (hot)
ㅉ j (jihad) <- same t (hot)
ㅊ ch (itch) <- same t (hot)
ㅋ kh (khaki) <- same <- same
ㅌ t (tip) <- same t (hot)
ㅍ p (pit) <- same p (lap)
ㅎ h (hot) <- same silent
.
The Vowels

Due to the subjective nature of language, pronunciations will vary from region to region as well as person to person.
Hangul Pronunciation

ㅒ yae (yak)
ㅖ yeh (yes)
ㅘ wah (wand)
ㅙ wae (wax)
ㅝ wuh (wonder)
ㅞ weh (web)
ㅚ weh (wait)
ㅟ wee (week)
ㅢ uey (muey)

ㅏ ah (Rah)
ㅓ uh (run)
ㅗ oh (dough)
ㅜ oo (moon)
ㅡ uh (brook)
ㅣ ee (meek)
ㅐ ae (at)
ㅔ eh (met)
ㅑ yah (yawn)
ㅕ yuh (yum)
ㅛ yoh (yodel)
ㅠ yoo (view)


Syllable Construction

Syllables are always constructed beginning with a consonant. Then a vowel follows. The syllable could stop here, or there could be another consonant, or two. The syllable begins with the initial consonant on the left or top and the vowel(s) and other consonant(s) follow to the right or bottom, like this:

가 where ㄱ "k" is the consonant, and ㅏ "ah" is the vowel. It is pronounced "Kah".

고 where ㄱ "k" is the consonant, and ㅗ "oh" is the vowel. It is pronounced "Koh".

When constructing syllables, always move from left to right and top to bottom. This is the same for reading. Sound out the initial consonant and then the following vowel(s), making it flow into the other ending consonant(s), if any. It's just like reading in English. Read left to right, sounding out each letter. And there you have the pronunciation of the syllable. Then move on to the next syllable. Words are separated by spaces, and syllables are right next to each other. Again, just like in English.

달 where ㄷ "t" is the consonant, and ㅏ "ah" is the vowel, followed by another consonant, ㄹ "l". It is pronounced "Tahl".

돌 where ㄷ "t" is the consonant, and ㅗ "oh" is the vowel, followed by another consonant, ㄹ "l". It is pronounced "Tohl".

When writing Hangul, start in the upper left of the letter and move left to right, top to bottom. Always write the characters in this manner. If you practice this way, then as you write more and more, your Korean writing will become more natural. This way even your quickly and messily written Hangul will be legible to Koreans.


Some Examples

I'm American.
제가 미국인입니다.
Che-ga meegookin imneeda.

I'm studying Korean.
한국말을 공부합니다.
Hangook-mal-ul kongbu-hamneeda.
or: Hangoong-mal-ul kongbu-hamneeda.

My name is Charles.
제 이름은 Charles입니다.
Che eerum-un Charles imneeda.

I like exercising.
운동을 좋아해요.
Oondong-ul cho-ah-haeyo.

He speaks English well.
저분은 영어를 잘 합니다.
Cho-boon-un yongo-rul chal hamneeda.

I live in Seoul.
저는 서울에서 살고 있습니다.
Cho-nun soh-ul-eh-soh salgo issumneeda.

Where do you work?
어디에서 일하십니까?
Oh-dee-eh-soh il-ha-shimni-gha?

(We're) eating now.
지금 식사하는 중입니다.
Chi-gum shiksa-hanun joong-imneeda.

This is delicious.
맛있어요.
Mashee-eessoyo.

Kim Mi Kyong is a student.
김 미경은 학생입니다.
Kim mee kyong-un hak-saeng imneeda.

It looks like rain.
비가 올 것 같아요.
Piga ol goht katahyo.

I can read Korean.
한글을 읽을 수 있어요.
Hangul-ul ilgul soo issoyo.


Korean Grammar Lessons

Once you have learned how to read, move on to these lessons.

Lesson 1 - Subjects and Objects

Korean can be easy to read because there are special markers that indicate what is the subject and object, and most of the time the verb is at the end of the sentence. The subject markers are '가' and '이'. Which one do you use and when? When the subject ends in a vowel, use '가', and use '이' when it ends in a consonant.

As for object markers, '을' follows when the object ends with a consonant, and '를' when it ends in a vowel.

진수가 밥을 먹습니다.
Jinsoo eats rice.
(Jinsoo rice eats.)

미경이 영화를 봤습니다.
Mi Kyong watched a movie.
(Mi Kyong movie watched.)
Sometimes the subject markers change from '이' to '은' and '가' to '는'. This is done to contrast something or simply present a topic. Sometimes '은' and '는' are used for emphasis in any part of the sentence, so they will not always indicate the subject.

나는 아침에 일찍 일어납니다.
I get up early in the morning.
(I in the morning early get up.)

이 연필은 참 좋습니다.
This pencil is really nice.
(This pencil really good.)

Was that fun? Hope so!

Jason Cresswell
Use your new knowledge in Korea

Tips on Teaching in South Korea

Your position in South Korea will be that of teacher of English as a second language. It will be your responsibility to help students develop their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. You will likely teach a variety of levels, from beginner to advanced. There will be some students who have studied abroad and can carry on a conversation, and others who will be just beginning to learn very basic vocabulary. You will find it rewarding to see your students progress and improve their ability to communicate in English. This is one of the biggest benefits of the job.

Although contracts do vary, teachers will generally have about six classes a day. They are usually between 40-50 minutes in length. Classrooms usually have 12 students or less, making it quite manageable. There are a variety of styles amongst different academies. Some focus on lots of testing and homework, while others are more relaxed and encourage playing games with students. Some have a very tight curriculum, while others leave it up to the teacher to decide the pace of the class. It is best to adapt your style to that of the academy at which you work. Regardless of the place you work, you will need some creativity, and will have some level of input as to the style of the classes you teach.

Many people worry about going to Korea with no previous teaching experience. This is very understandable. Getting in front of a class for the first time can be intimidating. But, if you have the right ideas and the right systems, within a very short time, you will have no problems.

This guide is not meant to be a shortened version of teacher’s college, but far from it. It is based on ten years of teaching English as a second language in South Korea. It is meant to be very practical, and to give first time and experienced teachers some valuable information to make their classrooms more manageable.

There are two things that we believe make for a successful classroom environment. These two keys are systems and consistency. First of all, let’s examine systems. They can be very simple or more complex. Of course simple systems are easier to implement and maintain. More complex systems can be beneficial, particularly with higher-level students, and highly motivated students. The key to effective systems is being consistent with your system. Whatever rules you set up for your class, whatever behavior you expect from your students, you must be consistent. If one day, speaking to friends is allowed, and the next day it is not, students are confused. They do not know what to expect, and therefore you lose control of the class. This is not the students’ fault so much as it is the teacher’s fault for not having told them what is expected, and then sticking to that.

We will now examine various potential problems, and how you can address them. It should be taken into consideration that the vast majority of the time, you are in control of whether a certain class is a pleasant one, or whether it is a frustrating experience every time you teach it. There is only a minute amount of classes that can truly be called bad classes, and even those classes can be brought to a level of productivity that is acceptable. Remember, you are in possession of the ability to shape the attitude of any class.

One of the big problems has to do with students speaking Korean in class. Pretty much all schools say it is their policy to have no Korean in the classroom. Although good in theory, this is rarely the case in practice. This problem actually provides you with a great opportunity. Most students have a very limited ability in English, thus the reason teachers are in high demand. Therefore, if you can manage to eliminate Korean from the class, you have essentially eliminated all forms of noise and disruption. On the other hand, if the students’ have a high level of English fluency, then you will likely encourage discussion amongst themselves in English.

The problem and opportunity have been described, but there has yet to be a solution provided. The following systems can be applied to just about any problem you may be confronted with. Let’s examine how it applies here.
The 1 2 3 System

The 1 2 3 System can be used with many variations. For example, let’s look at the Korean-speaking problem. On the whiteboard or blackboard, write one of the following:
________ 1 2 3 Out (나가)
________ 1 2 3 Homework (숙제)
________ 1 2 3 Call (부모님 전화)
________ 1 2 3 Director (원장님)
________ 1 2 3 Minus (점수 빼기)

You can chose which format would work best in your class. You can also add your own. After writing this, explain to the students that if they speak Korean one time, their name goes on the line and they get one circle. The second time gets them two circles, and the third gets them whatever punishment you have decided on. They are all quite effective. No student looks forward to leaving class, getting extra homework, having their parents called, visiting the school director, or losing marks on a test.

At this point, it cannot be emphasized enough. BE CONSISTENT! If you are not consistent, this system will not work. If sometimes you let students get away with speaking Korean, but other times you write their name, you will discredit the whole system. The students will not buy into it. On the contrary, if you are consistent and meticulous in the use of this system, you will be amazed at how well behaved your students can be.

The 1 2 3 System is very flexible. It can be used to control other negative behaviors as well. It has been used successfully to eliminate all talking, excessive standing and walking around, and lack of attention amongst others. A variation on this is the yellow card, red card system. Soccer is very popular and students know about the rules in soccer, which dictate that you get two yellow cards, and then a red card. You can get yourself a yellow card and red card. Carry it with you to class, and use it for the students who are misbehaving. They often enjoy this style of class management.

You may face a lack of enthusiasm from your students. If this is the case, it may be time to spice up your classes. One of the great things about teaching is that you can at times be a kid yourself. If your students are bored, try being more conscious of how you conduct your classes. Be honest, are you boring? Would you enjoy going to your class? More importantly, do you enjoy going to your class? If you are not having fun in your classes, chances are, neither are your students. Start by checking yourself first. If you dread going to class, if you are tired or irritable, it may be time to work on your own attitude. There is a direct correlation to you enjoying time spent with students, and students enjoying time spent with you. This is your chance to prove what many of us have said when we were younger. “If I were a teacher, I would do so and so to make my class better, not like this teacher.” Well, you’re a teacher now. Go ahead and make it a great class! Be the best teacher you can be.

It will be very helpful for you to use the staff and Korean teachers at your school. One of the major difficulties you may encounter is the inability to communicate with a student when you need to tell them something important. Don’t be shy about calling in help. Get someone to translate for you in order to make sure that your students understand what they did right, or wrong.

There are also many proactive ways in which you can eliminate many potential classroom difficulties. Show genuine interest in your students. If they know you really care about them, they will work hard for you. Children are very perceptive. Although they are very innocent and somewhat gullible to certain things, for example Santa Claus, they are not easily tricked when it comes to feelings. They are able to tell when someone is interested in them, and when someone is impatient with them.

Try to show each individual student some attention. Some students are very outgoing and try to answer all the questions. Others are more reserved and keep to themselves. Make an effort to make sure that each student participates on a daily basis. Also, unlike Canada or the U.S., you do not risk a lawsuit for coming within a foot of a child. Innocent touching of children is quite common in South Korea. Touch is a very powerful thing, and can have a big impact on children. Make an effort to give each student a high-five, or pat him or her on the shoulder. Please to not misunderstand what is being said here. We are obviously in no way encouraging inappropriate contact with students. Also, avoid patting students on the head, as this is considered insulting in Korea.

Be positive with your students. If you like a certain behavior, encourage that behavior. Reward the behavior. You can do a multitude of things to systematize this as well. You can have “Best Class of the Month”, or “Student of the Month” contests. Give out points that can be added to a test score, for example, for abiding by certain criteria such as homework completion or participation. Carry a small notebook with the ongoing results. Students are very competitive, and usually try to do well in these types of contests.

It is very important to keep a close watch on yourself. There will be times where you will have to show students that you are upset. The key to survival in this game is to never really be upset. You can show that you are unhappy with what a student has done, but inside you should be smiling and realizing that it just comes with the territory. Never take anything personally, and don’t let yourself lose control in class. Always try to remember that regardless of what happens, it is not that big a deal. Keep a relaxed attitude, and you will look forward to working. Teaching offers you a great opportunity to develop self-control, self-awareness, creativity, patience, a positive attitude, and high levels of energy. Take advantage of this and become a proud, productive teacher.

Jason
Learn more about how you can apply these skills as an English teacher in South Korea

How to Keep a Good Attitude in Korea, and Why it's So Important

Keeping a positive attitude will be one of the most pivotal points in making your experience teaching in Korea a memorable one. With the right attitude, you can make the best of your time. Contrarily, if you don’t keep your attitude in check, you may be in for a rough couple of months.

Obviously, you are aware that you will be going to a different country and that you should likely expect to encounter what is referred to as culture shock. Things in South Korea are done very differently than they are in your home country. It will serve you best to go with an open mind, and to expect to encounter things that you may not necessarily agree with. The methods of doing things may not always be to your liking. Again, one must realize that one is in a different country, and therefore should expect things to be different. It would be futile to believe that you are going to affect much change in centuries-old traditions or habits. The best idea is to be curious as opposed to judgmental.

When you first arrive, you will likely be in a euphoric state where everything around you is new, and your curiosity will know no bounds. This often lasts for a couple of months, but afterwards, you start adapting to your new lifestyle, and things become more routine. It is at this stage where many people begin to feel homesick, or have a decline in their positive attitude. It is helpful to try and be aware of how you’re feeling as often as possible. Notice if you are becoming negative, irritable, or sad. If so, you should take special care to search out the positive in the situation, and to try to re-kindle your spirit of adventure by getting out and exploring, bringing back those sensations of unfamiliarity. Even after spending many years in Korea, you can easily hop on a bus to a remote part of the country and realize once again that you are in an exciting place where new adventures always await you.

It should also be noted that not everyone experiences culture shock, or feels homesick. It is just as likely that you will have no problems at all. In fact, reading about what may happen can also do you a disfavor, since it may set up expectations you would not otherwise have had. Attempt to go into this venture with no pre-set notions of what should be expected. Create your own experience, but be constantly aware of how you are feeling. Take the pulse on your attitude as regularly as possible in order to be sure that it is healthy.

A critically important point is to be careful with whom you associate. This cannot be emphasized enough. During your stay in Korea, you will meet many, many people. There are lots of interesting and dynamic personality types that are attracted to this opportunity. Unfortunately, there are also a handful of very negative people who are often more outspoken than their more positive counterparts. Beware of these people. They enjoy nothing more than complaining about Korea, and why they are unhappy being there. What they have not fully realized is that they were not happy where they were before either. They have not yet learned that you can be happy anywhere you go in the world.

The only thing that stays the same wherever you go is the fact that you are there. These people seem to especially like complaining to people new to the country. They will bad-mouth Korean culture, food, schools, or anything else that they can think of at the time. They will try to befriend you to “warn” you about things. The best way to handle these types is to politely nod a few times and then make your way to another part of the room. If you happen to be unfortunate enough to have one of these people working at your school, again, do your best to ignore them and not encourage their babble.

Remember, there are many great people for you to meet. The creation of life-long friendships, and even romantic relationships, are more the rule than the exception. Surround yourself with the types of people who are there to enjoy themselves and who help make your experience even greater. Also, attempt to be a leader in this aspect. Be positive about things, find the aspects of life overseas that you enjoy, and promote them to yourself and your friends. This will help ensure that you make the best of your time.

No matter where you go in the world, it is not difficult to find things that you dislike. Korea is no exception. Frankly, it would be easy to name some aspects of Korea that are less than desirable. However, the same applies to the U.S. and Canada. It all depends where your focus is. Try this little experiment to prove it to yourself. Read the following instructions one at a time. Only read one number at a time, and don’t look ahead to the next until you have completed the previous one.

1. Take a good look around the room and try to find as many things that are the color green as you possibly can. Find them all, everything that you can that is green. Spend 30 seconds doing this. You will have to remember them.

2. The next step involves closing your eyes. You will have to close your eyes as soon as you finish reading the instructions for this step. So, what you should do now is close your eyes right away and try to remember everything that is blue. No peeking. Start now.

Did you have a difficult time trying to remember? If this experiment didn’t work so well because you read ahead and saw what was going to happen, try it on a friend. The instructions were originally intended to be given verbally rather than reading. That is the power of focus. Whatever you focus on will be all you see. In this example, it was likely difficult to recall any blue because you had focused only on the green. If you spend all your time focusing on the negative, you will have a horrible time. If you spend your time looking for the optimistic aspects, you will have a wonderful experience.

Jason
Teach in Korea Now!

A Journal Entry from Bangkok

When I was in Bangkok, I visited a temple and felt like writing about what was happening at the moment. I just came across this entry and decided to type it out here for you to enjoy. Here it is:

I am now sitting on top of a Buddhist temple in the middle of Bangkok. It is very quiet here. I can still hear the sounds of traffic but there are no other people around. The weather is hot, but I am in the shade and there is a strong breeze which is very refreshing.



If I look to my right, I see the roof of another temple with its green, gold, and rust colored roof. Poking up behind that is the tip of a palace, the Golden Palace I believe it's called.

I will go there next. Far off in the distance stands the tower of the hotel I visited yesterday. At 88 stories high, it is the second highest building I've been to the top of next to the World Trade Center.

Old contrasting with new.

I enjoy the old, but I am much more impressed with the new. To be up there yesterday was really breathtaking for lack of a better word.

I was amazed that people could even conceive of the idea to build something so immense. Of course, I'm not just talking about this tower, but of the others as well. It seems almost impossible to do and it is impossible for most.

However, there are a select few who are intelligent and daring enough to come up with and build such beauty.

Two monks dressed in golden robes just passed by me as I write. I wonder if they are happy.



No possessions, no goal other than to reach enlightenment by avoiding reality. Since I am rambling, I may as well ramble on about my general impressions on Thailand so far.

First of all, I don't consider this my trip to Thailand, but my trip to Bangkok. I do believe the two to be very different.

In passing, I must thank the monks for keeping the floors so clean. Sitting down is of no concern.

In thinking of ways to describe Bangkok, I often thought of it as a combination of Bali and Hong Kong based on my experience there.

It has the same general feel of having to be careful about being ripped off as Bali, and a bit of the look of Hong Kong.

Of course, it is very unique and not at all a replica of these places, but it does have reminders.

As in Bali, drivers are everywhere and more than willing to give you a lift. The tuk-tuk, a three-wheeled motorcycle with a seat at the back, is a popular form of transport.



I learned very quickly the scheme involved here. They bring you shopping for suits or jewelry along the way to your destination and they receive free gas coupons, or "coupong" as they pronounce it, from the shop owners.

I could have gotten myself a great deal on a suit tailor-made for me, and earrings and a necklace for my girlfriend or mother. No thanks.

I ended up with a free ride to my destination due to my willingness to stop at a few places along the way and pretend to shop.

I even went so far as to choose the fabric and style of my next suit, which I did not end up buying.

I had a great conversation with a 12 year old boy about things such as import-export, World Cup soccer, and being careful about "lady-boys."

It blew me away what a kid his age knew and how he expressed himself in English.

Traveling alone has both advantages and disadvantages. I am free to go where I want when I want and am forced to be independent as well as having lots of time to think.

There are, however, many times that it would be nice to have one of the handful of people whom I would want to share this with be here.

I have done a lot of walking and my head is always going from left to right, up and down, trying to take in as much as I can. I like big cities and all of their stimulus. I like to see things happen.



There are certainly things happening here. I do not believe I would want to live here, however. A touch too under-developed and dirty for my liking.

Coming to places like this makes me realize how far South Korea has come. They are in a region where not too many countries are very far ahead. I won't even begin to compare Canada.

It is approaching 2 o'clock. I will leave for the airport at 9 o'clock. I still have lots to see and a lot of walking to do.

So, that is what I will do.

Jason

Crazy stuff happens all the time in Korea

And this is proof...

I forgot one of the reasons I enjoy being in Korea: anything can happen, and it's entertaining!

For example, you're shopping in a department store and some guy comes along with his buddies holding an ol' school ghetto blaster, and this guy starts dancing and "popping" throughout the store, gathering a crowd.

Why not? You're in a city of millions, and people sometimes want to stand out. This is the way to do it!



Start seeing the crazy stuff yourself...Apply here

Skating and Having Fun in Korea

Here is a clip of a crew called 5Boro skateboarding in Seoul and surrounding areas. I recognize quite a few of the places they are riding at.

Aside from the good views of some Korean city locations, these guys actually pull off some pretty sick moves.

Jason

Great Video Tour on a Motorbike

I really enjoyed this 2 1/2 minute clip. It's an English teacher in Korea leaving his apartment and going to work on his motorbike.

Reasons I like it:

1. It shows a smaller Korean city (Gumi) and how smaller places still have lots going on.

2. It really hits home of what it's like living day to day in South Korea. It really gave me the feeling of being there on an average day, heading off to school to teach your regular classes (yet so much is going on all around)

3. The pace is quick and it shows how a foreigner has been able to integrate himself into Korea, enjoying things as he learns about his new country.

The real deal. Enjoy, and thanks to the person who made the video.

Jason

Two Teachers, One Bike

Feeling romantic?

Why not rent a 2-seater bike and go for a tour around a park or down by the river?

This couple has the right idea!

It's 3:30 am and I'm thinking of Korea

So, what am I doing up at 3:30 am with Korea on my mind? Great question! If fact, Korea is on my mind the majority of the time.

There are plenty of reasons for this...First, business. Of course, ASK Now (http://www.asknow.ca) is what consumes most of my mental and physical energy. I love our business! I love helping people experience something that will change their lives.

It's great being the catalyst and giving ideas to people who otherwise would never have thought to go to Korea.

I enjoy hearing people say, "I didn't think that I could go, I thought (fill in reason here)"

So, it's nice when you can tell people that yes, in fact, they can go.

Unfortunately, there are many times we aren't able to deliver that good news. But, that's another posting.

So, like I said, ASK Now is basically the main focus of my energy.

Beyond that, as I've said, I will be returning to Korea on Sept 2nd after being in Canada for two years. For anyone who is currently a month or less away from heading over, you'll agree that there is much to be done!

I just got my international driver's license today. I really don't know why you have to renew that thing every year. What a money grab! Oh well, have to stay legal.

I did a big clean-up and came across some interesting things, including some letters from my wife, and a diary I wrote while in Thailand. I will include the Thailand diary here soon, but the letters from my wife will not likely make it!

Speaking of my wife, that's another reason I have Korea on my mind...because she's there and I'm not! It's starting to feel like she's been there for a while, and I'm getting very anxious to get back and see her.

How about some romance: I arrive on our anniversary! I know, pretty smooth...I try!

So, here's the question: Is my showing up a good enough gift, or do I have to come prepared with another gift? I know, I know! No worries, I enjoy giving gifts. (receiving isn't bad either) so now, I have to find something she'll enjoy.

Anyhow, that's all for tonight. I'm going to give her a call and call it a night.

Thanks for reading,

Jason
Soon to be 10-8 to Daegu

Inline Skating in Korea

Well, if you enjoy inline skating, otherwise known as rollerblading, you should certainly bring your skates with you.

There are plenty of places to skate, and lots to do whether you enjoy slalom, agressive, or just plain skating around.

Here is a clip of some local Koreans using the infrastructure well.

Jason
P.S. Can you find a picture of me inline skating in Korea?

Would you eat live octopus?

First a disclaimer:

There is plenty of Western style food in South Korea. You can pretty much eat whatever you want, the same as you would back home.

Second, there are plenty of non-seafood dishes in South Korea.

But, if you're feeling adventurous and want something to write home about, there are some great options in Korea.

Before going to Korea for the first time, I was one of the pickiest eaters around. This fact could be easily confirmed by my friend's and family in Canada.

But, I expanded my horizons when in Korea. I started eating (and enjoying) things that I would never even come close to touching before. That's great because now I have no fear of going out to restaurants. I know I'll find something I enjoy. The same goes for eating at other people's places. That used to be a nightmare, but now it's a non-issue.

Some things I tried in Korea: live squid, live octopus, chicken feet, and chicken intestines.

This video features a Korean girl showing her foreign boyfriend the proper way to enjoy live squid in Busan's famous seafood market.

The second clip is one of three other Canadians and Americans in Seoul at the Garak market, also enjoying the new experience.

Well done folks, nice to see some brave representatives from abroad!

Yummy.

Jason

The Beach in Busan

Busan is a great place to go as well. It's at the southern tip of the peninsula.

Here is a short clip of one of the beaches there. I'm guessing it's not summer because there would be way more people.

Go for a walk along the beach and enjoy South Korea!

Jason

Like mountain climbing?

Koreans love to climb mountains!

Over 80% of Korea is mountainous terrain, so it's obvious why Koreans have taken up the hobby.

At times, you can see some funny outfits being worn by Korean hikers.

Basically, anywhere you are, you are close to a mountain path of some sort. Personally, I also enjoy mountain biking through a lot of these trails.

If you like mountain biking, you'll find all kinds of great places to ride. So, get out there and enjoy the hills!

Ride a bus in Korea across a bridge

OK,

So perhaps this clip isn't of much value, I'll admit. It's just a 30 second clip of going across a bridge in a bus.

But, if you were wondering if you should teach in Korea, and you really wanted to know what it would be like to drive across a bridge in a bus, here you go!

This Girl Has the Right Attitude

I always enjoy coming across people who know how to enjoy themselves during their time in South Korea.

This girl named Leanne seems to be doing great. This clip is basically a slide show of her in South Korea. There are some good shots, and I like the overall feel of the show.

Well done Leanne, keep having fun.

By the way, if you have a video on Youtube or anywhere else that you think would fit in, feel free to e-mail us and we can add it here.

Jason

Traditional Street. Get souvenirs here

Insadong is an area in Seoul that features traditional arts and foods. It's one of the "must-see" areas in South Korea.

You can buy all of your souvenirs here, eat some traditional foods, and then visit an old-style tea house.

You can always find some type of performance going on. You can also have your name painted in Korean characters on a scroll.

This video clip gives a good tour of what's available.

Jason

Where you'll find yourself at night

Here is a fun video that shows what you'll likely recognize as a regular walk in a downtown area at night.

Going out in Korea is great. We've often found ourselves just standing around watching people go by and taking in all the surroundings.

It's great to just sit outside a convenience store with an ice cream in one hand, your favorite drink in the other, chatting with a friend or just sitting and watching.

This clip comes complete with Radiohead background music. Thanks to the publisher.

Jason

7 Minutes in Seoul

Here is a video that someone took during a visit to South Korea.

Although there are some parts that could have been edited to be a bit shorter, it gives you a good feel of what Korea is like when walking around.

Since I am writing this from Canada as I pack to get ready to head back to Korea, I must say that it's getting me excited to go!

Jason

Koreans like Break-Dancing and Having Fun

Here is a little proof that break-dancing is alive and well in South Korea. It's also an example that the South Koreans like to have fun in regards to any military tensions with the north.



If you travel throughout any Korean city, you are likely to come across an "event" outside of a department store featuring break-dance performances and other talent show type events.

There's always something happening.

This Guy is Having Fun Teaching

Here is a short video of someone who is having fun teaching in South Korea. He seems to have a good attitude and even though he is playing with the kids, you can tell that they listen well and that he has good control over his class.

I'd certainly hire a chap like this. Click play to watch.